Drakkhen

Drakkhen
DevelopersInfogrames
Kemco-Seika (SNES)
PublisherInfogrames
PlatformsAmiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Super NES, PC-98, FM Towns Marty, X68000
Release1989, 1990, 1991
GenreRole-playing
ModeSingle-player

Drakkhen is a 1989 3D role-playing video game, initially developed and published by Infogrames for the Amiga and Atari ST, and ported to MS-DOS, Super NES, PC-98, X68000, and FM Towns Marty. It was a very early game in the North American SNES library, and as such, received almost universal coverage in previews of the then-upcoming SNES in gaming magazines of 1990 and early 1991.

Drakkhen was among the first role-playing games with a three-dimensional playing field and an early example of the real-time tactics genre. It did not employ a fully 3D game engine, instead implementing a hybrid approach using vectors and bitmapped character-scaling algorithms. Drakkhen includes an animated day-night cycle and the ability to wander freely about the game world, both rarities for a game of its era. The game spawned a Super NES sequel: Dragon View.